Fastening device

ABSTRACT

There is provided a fastening device comprising a frame having a pair of spaced apart elongated portions that are substantially parallel to each other. The device further includes a slide bar that has a pair of passageways near opposite ends thereof. Each of the elongated portions is slidably moveable through respective passageways of the slide bar. Each of the elongated portions extends through a helical spring. The helical springs are both on one side of the slide bar. A pair of spring guide members are used to restrict respective helical springs to rotational movement along respective elongated portions and are operable to bias the helical springs towards the slide bar. Each of the guide members protrudes from respective elongated portions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to fastening devices, and in particular to an apparatus and method for securing together two portions of a web belt, e.g. as used in the transportation industry.

2. Summary of Related Art

There are many tensioning, connecting or fastening devices available for use with single web belts or straps. Some of these devices accommodate belts with fixed loops.

In U.S. Pat. No. 3,591,900 by Brown a belt adjuster is disclosed having spaced parallel, offset fixed bars. A third reciprocating bar is disposed between the fixed bars and cooperates with one of the fixed bars to grip therebetween a looped end portion of a belt. This belt adjuster is not adaptable to be used with a single belt for the purpose of removing slack from the single belt. Nor is it capable of fastening two portions of the single belt together for the purpose of isolating a ruptured or cut portion of the single belt from a load.

In U.S. Pat. No. 6,820,310 by Woodard et al., a web adjuster for varying a length of a web is disclosed. This web adjuster is not amenable for isolating a weakened portion of a web from a load carried by the web.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved fastening device that can remove slack from a strap and connect a pair of straps together.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved fastening device that can isolate a ruptured, cut, or frayed portion of a strap from a load carried by the strap.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a fastening device comprising a frame having a pair of spaced apart elongated portions that are substantially parallel to each other. The device further includes a slide bar that has a pair of passageways near opposite ends thereof. Each of the elongated portions is slidably moveable through respective passageways of the slide bar. And a means for moving the slide bar along the elongated portions.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a fastening device comprising a frame having a pair of spaced apart elongated portions that are substantially parallel to each other. The device further includes a slide bar that has a pair of passageways near opposite ends thereof. Each of the elongated portions is slidably moveable through respective passageways of the slide bar. Each of the elongated portions extends through a helical spring. The helical springs are both on one side of the slide bar. A pair of spring guide members are used to restrict respective helical springs to rotational movement along respective elongated portions and are operable to bias the helical springs towards the slide bar. Each of the guide members protrudes from respective elongated portions.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of fastening a first strap portion to a second strap portion. The first strap portion has a first end and a second end opposite the first end thereof. The second strap portion has a first end and a second end opposite the first end thereof. The method comprises the following steps. A frame is provided that comprises a first bar, a second bar, and a third bar. The first, second and third bars of the frame are spaced apart from and substantially parallel to each other. The first ends of the first and second strap portions are fed through between the first and second bar. The first ends of the first and second strap portions are wrapped around the third bar. The first ends of the first and second strap portions are fed through between the third and second bar. The first ends of the first and second strap portions are again fed through between the second bar and the first bar.

The fastening device of the present invention can advantageously isolate a cut, torn or frayed portion of a strap from a load carried by the strap as will be outlined below. This allows the damaged strap to be used and prevents the need to purchase a new strap.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be more readily understood from the following description of preferred embodiments thereof given, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of a fastening device shown in a closed position;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the fastening device of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3 a, 3 b, 3 d and 3 e are side views of a pair spaced apart elongated portions and a base bar, a helical spring, a split pin and a slide bar respectively of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3 c and 3 f are plan views of a washer and a cross bar respectively of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the fastening device of FIG. 1, shown fastening a first belt to a second belt; and

FIG. 5 is a side view of the fastening device of FIG. 1, shown fastening a first portion of a belt to a second portion of the belt.

DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the figures and first to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 a-3 f, a fastening device indicated generally by reference numeral 10 has a frame indicated generally by reference numeral 12. The frame 12 is quadrilateral in shape and comprises a pair of spaced-apart elongated portions 14, a cross-bar 16 and a base bar 18.

The pair of elongated portions 14 and the base bar 18 together form a C-shaped structure. The C-shaped structure is formed from a single bar in this example, but can be formed in other ways. The cross-bar 16 is connected to the pair of elongated portions 14, by welding in this example.

The fastening device 10 also includes a slide bar 20 which has a pair of passageways 22 near opposite ends thereof. The passageways 22 are in the form of bores in this example, but need not be in other examples. The elongated portions 14 slidably extend through respective passageways 22 so that the slide bar 20 is slidably moveable along the elongated portions.

The cross bar 16, slide bar 20 and base bar 18 are substantially parallel to each other as seen in FIG. 1. In normal operation, as will be explained below, the cross bar 16, slide bar 20 and base bar 18 are spaced apart from each other which is best illustrated in either FIG. 4 or 5.

The fastening device 10 comprises a means for moving the slide bar 20 along the elongated portions 14. In the present embodiment the means for moving comprises a pair of helical springs 24 and a pair of split pins 26. Referring again to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 a-3 f the elongated portions 14 extend through the pair of helical springs 24. Each of the helical springs 24 has coils 25, a first end 28 and a second end 30. The pair of springs 24 are on one side of the slide bar 20, and in particular on the same side as the cross bar.

The elongated portions 14 each has a bore 34 and each of the split pins 26 engageably fits within respective bores 34 such that a portion 36 protrudes from the respective elongated portion 14 between the coils 25. The portions 36 of the split pins 26 are also called spring guide members herein.

Those skilled in the art will understand that instead of using split pins 26 there are other means possible to form the spring guide members 36, for example protrusions formed as part of each elongated portion 14, and it is within the scope of the invention to include those means as well.

Furthermore, those skilled in the art will recognize other means for moving the slide bar along the elongated portions 14 and it is within the scope of the invention to include those means as well. For example, each of the elongated portions 14 can be threaded on an outer surface and may threadedly receive a nut. The nuts of each of the elongated portion 14 can threadedly move along the respective elongated portion and consequently moving the slide bar 20.

One of the coils 25 of each of the helical springs 24 can include at least one deformation towards an adjacent coil, and preferably two deformations towards the adjacent coil. The deformation acts to prevent the helical spring 24 from being rotatably moved past the deformation without a certain amount of force. To ensure a certain amount of pressure is applied to the slide bar 20 towards the base bar 18 the deformation is accordingly placed at a certain position along the helical spring. The helical spring 24 can then be rotatably moved so that it compresses and so that the deformation rotates past the respective spring guide member 36. To decompress the helical spring 24, the helical spring must be rotatably moved past the deformation again, and this requires a certain amount of force to accomplish. This advantageously provides another safety feature ensuring that the helical spring remains compressed and applies a constant pressure to the slide bar 20 towards the base bar 18.

The spring guide members 36 restrict respective helical springs 24 to rotational movement along respective elongated portions 14. When the helical springs 24 are rotated towards the slide bar 20, e.g. by the hand of an operator, the spring guide members 36 operate to bias the helical springs towards the slide bar 20. As each of the helical springs 24 are rotated or screwed towards the slide bar 20 they compress. As illustrated in FIG. 1 clockwise rotation, when viewed from cross bar 16, would result in increased compression. In alternative embodiments the springs 24 could be wound the opposite way and the rotation would be counter-clockwise.

When the helical springs 24 are compressed, stored mechanical energy results in an outward translational force along respective longitudinal axes of the elongated portions 14. The outward translational forces attempt to bring the helical springs 24 back to an uncompressed position of equilibrium. The spring guide members 36 resist the translational forces of the helical springs 24 and maintain the helical springs in a compressed position. The helical springs 24 can be decompressed by rotating them towards the cross bar 16. In this example the rotation would be counter-clockwise as viewed from cross bar 16.

Each of the first ends 28 of the springs 24 has an end cap 29 that prevents the springs from being rotatably moved beyond the respective spring guide members 26. This provides a positive stop to the rotation of the helical springs 24 when they are compressed towards the slide bar 20.

The elongated portions 14 respectively extend through a pair of washers 32. The washers 32 are positioned between respective springs 24 and the slide bar 20. The washers 32 ensure smooth rotation of the springs 24.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the fastening device 10 is operable to fasten a first strap 41 to a second strap 42. The first strap 41 has a first end 43 and a second end 45. The second strap 42 has a first end 44 and a second end 46.

To fasten the first strap 41 to the second strap 42, the first ends 43 and 44 of the first and second straps 41 and 42 respectively are first fed through between the cross bar 16 and the slide bar 20. The first ends 43 and 44 are then wrapped around the base bar 18. Next, the first ends 43 and 44 are fed through between the base bar 18 and the slide bar 20, and then the first ends are again fed through between the slide bar 20 and the cross bar 16.

Next the pair of springs 24 is rotatably moved or screwed towards the slide bar 20 which then compresses the springs and consequently moves the slide bar 20 towards the base bar 18 and sandwiches the first and second straps 41 and 42 therebetween. One purpose of the pair of springs 24 is to apply a constant pressure on the slide bar 20 and therefore the first and second straps 41 and 42 between the base bar 18 and the slide bar 20 respectively.

The constant pressure applied by the springs 24 provides a safety feature. In case a lot of slack is provided near the firsts ends 43 and 44 of the first and second straps 41 and 42 respectively, the first and second straps can not be unfastened, e.g. by wind forces when the fastening devices is used on a transportation vehicle.

In this example, to complete the fastening of the first strap 41 to the second strap 42, the second ends 45 and 46 of the first and second straps 41 and 42 respectively are secured. The second end 45 of the first strap 41 is secured, e.g. at one side of a truck, such that the first strap wraps against the cross bar 16. The second end 46 of the second strap 42 is secured, e.g. at a side opposite the one side of the truck, such that the second strap extends away from the first strap.

The securing of the second ends 45 and 46 of the first and second straps 41 and 42 respectively further urges the slide bar 20 towards the base bar 18. The action of securing the seconds ends 45 and 46 is typically what prevents the first and second straps 41 and 42 respectively from unravelling from the fastening device 10. The springs 24 can subsequently be further rotatably moved towards the slide bar 20 to ensure a constant gripping pressure is applied.

There are a number of areas of gripping pressure created when the slide bar 20 urges the first and second straps towards the base bar 18 and the second ends 45 and 46 are secured. These areas are indicated generally by reference numerals 60, 62 and 64.

FIG. 5 illustrates the operation of the fastening device 10 with a single strap indicated generally by reference numeral 50. The operation of the fastening device 10 with the single strap 50 is similar to the operation with the pair of straps 40 and 42 respectively.

The single strap 50 can be considered to have a first strap portion 51 having a first end 53 and a second end 55, and a second strap portion 52 having a first end 54 and a second end 56. The operation of fastening the strap portions 51 and 52 is then similar to the operation of fastening the straps 41 and 42. In this scenario, the single strap 50 is typically folded at a ruptured portion 58.

The fastening device 10 can advantageously secure two strap portions of a single strap that has a ruptured portion therebetween, e.g. such as strap portion 58 in FIG. 5, between first ends 53 and 54 of the first and second strap portions 51 and 52. When a strap becomes ruptured, cut, torn or frayed it has conventionally been required to replace the entire strap, which can be quite wasteful and expensive. However, by utilizing the fastening device 10 the cut, torn or frayed strap can be used by isolating the cut, torn or frayed portion.

The fastening device can also be advantageously used to remove slack from a strap when securing the strap between two points as described above with reference to FIG. 4.

As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, various modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claims. 

1. A fastening device comprising: a frame having a pair of spaced apart elongated portions, the pair of elongated portions being substantially parallel to each other; a slide bar having a pair of passageways near opposite ends thereof, each of the elongated portions being slidably moveable through respective passageways of the slide bar; and means for moving the slide bar along the elongated portions.
 2. The fastening device of claim 1, wherein the means for moving comprises: a pair of helical springs, each of the elongated portions extending through one of the helical springs, the pair of helical springs being on one side of the slide bar, each of the springs having coils; and a pair of spring guide members, each of the guide members protruding from respective elongated portions between the coils of respective springs and being on the same side of the slide bar as the springs, the guide members restricting respective helical springs to rotational movement along respective elongated portions and being operable to bias the helical springs towards the slide bar.
 3. The fastening device of claim 1, wherein the frame is quadrilateral in shape.
 4. The fastening device of claim 3, wherein the frame includes a cross-bar and a C-shaped member having an open end, the elongated portions being part of the C-shaped member, the cross-bar being attached across the open end of the C-shaped member.
 5. The fastening device of claim 2, wherein the device further includes a pair of washers, each washer being between one of the helical springs and the slide bar, each of the elongated portions being slidably moveable through one of the washers.
 6. The fastening device of claim 2, wherein each of the spring guide members is a split pin.
 7. The fastening device of claim 6, wherein the elongated portions of the frame each has a bore, each bore of the elongated portions being engageable with respective split pins.
 8. In combination, a first strap portion, a second strap portion and a fastening device, the fastening device comprising: a frame having a pair of elongated portions, the pair of elongated portions being substantially parallel to each other; a slide bar having a pair of passageways near opposite ends thereof, each of the elongated portions being slidably moveable through respective passageways of the slide bar; a pair of helical springs, each of the elongated portions extending through one of the helical springs, the pair of helical springs being on one side of the slide bar, each of the springs having coils; and a pair of spring guide members, each of the guide members protruding from respective elongated portions between the coils of respective springs and being on the same side of the slide bar as the springs, the guide members restricting respective helical springs to rotational movement along respective elongated portions and being operable to bias the helical springs towards the slide bar; whereby the fastening device is operable to fasten the first and second strap portions together.
 9. The combination of claim 8, wherein the frame is quadrilateral in shape.
 10. The combination of claim 9, wherein the frame includes a cross-bar and a C-shaped member having an open end, the cross-bar being attached to the open end of the C-shaped member.
 11. The combination of claim 8, wherein the device further includes a pair of washers, each washer being between one of the helical springs and the slide bar, each of the elongated portions being slidably moveable through one of the washers.
 12. The combination of claim 8, wherein each of the spring guide members is a split pin.
 13. The combination of claim 12, wherein the elongated portions of the frame each have a bore, each bore of the elongated portions being engageable with respective split pins.
 14. A method of fastening a first strap portion to a second strap portion, the first strap portion having a first end and second end opposite the first end thereof, the second strap portion having a first end and second end opposite the first end thereof, the method comprising the steps of: providing a frame comprising a first bar, a second bar, and a third bar, the first, second and third bars being spaced apart from and substantially parallel to each other; feeding through the first ends of the first and second strap portions between the first and second bar; wrapping the first ends of the first and second strap portions around the third bar; feeding through the first ends of the first and second strap portions between the third and second bar; and feeding through the first ends of the first and second strap portions again between the second and first bar.
 15. The method of fastening of claim 14, wherein the method further includes the step of urging the second bar towards the third bar such that the first and second strap portions are sandwiched therebetween.
 16. The method of fastening of claim 14, wherein the method further includes the steps of: securing the second end of the first strap portion such that the first strap portion is wrapped against the first bar; and securing the second end of the second strap portion such that the second strap portion extends substantially away from the first strap portion.
 17. The method of fastening of claim 14, wherein the first and second strap portions are part of a single strap, the first ends of the first and second strap portions being adjacent a weakened portion of the single strap.
 18. The method of fastening of claim 14, wherein the first strap portion is a first strap and the second strap portion is a second strap.
 19. The fastening device of claim 2, wherein one of the coils of at least one of the helical springs is deformed towards an adjacent coil. 